Tips For Troubleshooting Your Home's HVAC System When It Stops Heating Properly
If you have noticed that your home is not as warm as it has been in the past, you may wonder if there could be an issue with your HVAC system's furnace. If so, use the following tips below to find the issue and possibly fix it yourself.
Start With The Thermostat
Before even looking at your furnace, start your troubleshooting with the thermostat. First, examine the switch to make sure it is flipped to the heat setting. Although this may seem like a simple step, it is possible that the switch was accidently moved to the off or cool setting.
Next, try turning the thermostat up a few degrees until your furnace kicks on. If it does not kick on, it is possible that your thermostat may not be operating correctly. If you suspect this is the case, you can either try to replace it with a new one or have an HVAC technician do it for you.
However, if the furnace does turn on, the issue may not be with the thermostat. Feel the air coming out of the vents to see if there is sufficient flow and if the air is hot. If not, go on to the next steps.
Look Inside The Furnace For Dust And Debris
If you have ruled out or replaced the thermostat as the problem, and if your vents are not blowing out enough air, the next place you want to check is the inside of the furnace for excess dust and debris. This also includes checking and changing the air filter.
If too much dust is blocking the filter or the internal vents, not enough air is getting into the furnace for circulation inside the unit. If this happens, your furnace is unable to blow sufficient air throughout your home to heat it.
After turning off the furnace, remove the access panel so you can see inside the unit. First, remove the filter, and visually inspect it to see if it appears clogged. Even if it does not, shake it away from you to see if a large amount of dust is hidden inside. If so, replace the filter with a new one.
Once you have inspected the filter, look for thick layers of dust on the fan blades, the floor of the unit and inside the interior vents. Also, look for clumps of cobwebs or hair that could have been sucked into the unit. If you see any excess dust or debris, use the extension wand on your vacuum cleaner to suck it up. Then, take a damp rag, and wipe up any residual layer.
Turn your furnace back on, then feel the air coming from the vents. If there is no improvement in air flow, or if the flow is strong but the air is not warm, go on to the next section.
Listen Carefully To The Furnace While It's Running
If your furnace is still not producing enough air, keep it running, and listen carefully to the unit. If you hear any loud bangs or sounds that resemble metal grinding together, this could be an indication that your motor is not working properly. If this is the case, you will need to have a heating repair service examine it.
After using the above tips, you may still not know what is causing the problem with your furnace, or you may find that it has an issue that needs professional attention. If so, you may want to contact a contractor who specializes in heating and air conditioning repairs to have them inspect your heater and advise you about the next course of action.
For more information, contact a company like Christian Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.